SUA1500 blinking battery charge lights

[Anonymous user]

I have a Smart-UPS SUA1500 that I bought in December 2004. I had a power failure last week, and the UPS gave me only a couple of minutes of power before shutting down. (Normally I think I get something like 15 or 20 minutes.) When the power came back on a few hours later, the five battery charge lights were blinking. The "replace battery" light has NOT gone on.

I figured it needed a new battery, which I bought and installed yesterday. I let it charge for 24 hours before plugging any of my computer equipment into it. Just plugged everything in, and those battery lights are blinking again.

What does this mean, and what do I need to do about it? I am NOT a technical person -- I found and read an FAQ about blinking lights, but it was way over my head. I never installed the software that came with the UPS -- do I need to do that? I tried pushing the self-test button both before and after replacing the battery -- the yellow "on battery" light went on briefly, and then went out.

FWIW, when all of my computer equipment is running, only two of the "load" lights are lit, so I know I'm not overloading the UPS.

TIA for any information or suggestions.

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

Install the software, and run a software runtime calibration through the Diagnostics menu. The UPS is seeing erroneous runtime with the new battery installed, and needs to be calibrated properly to adjust its microprocessor accordingly.

[Anonymous user]

Okay, I'll do the runtime calibration. So I just go to Device Properties/Diagnostics/UPS Calibration and click Start?

I assume I need to unplug my computer equipment first, right?

About how long does the calibration take? I'm trying to figure out if I should start it later tonight and let it do its thing overnight.

[Anonymous user]

Thanks. Do I need to tear apart my office looking for the software CD that came with the UPS, or can I download the software? (I'm using XP.)

And do I need to find anything else that came with the UPS (cables or something)? Please say no!

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

Luckily, you don't need the proprietary serial cable. A standard USB-A to USB-B will work fine. The software can be downloaded on the support page under "Software/Firmware"

[Anonymous user]

I found my original package with the cables and software, but I downloaded the newest version of PowerChute Business Edition Basic. It's installed, and I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. The help files assume a much higher level of technical knowledge than I possess.

I found this info:

1 device in the device list, 1 critical
runtime: 2 minutes
battery replaced: 10/13/04

I don't know why the UPS isn't seeing the new batteries.

When I searched help for Diagnostics, I found:

"The following options appear under Diagnostics in the Device Properties Dialog Box when Show advanced items is enabled."

When I search help for Device Properties Dialog Box, it shows me a screen shot, but doesn't tell me how to get to it! I've clicked on every button in the console.

What's the secret?

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

If you double click on the device that's listed, that'll bring up its Properties. In the bottom left hand corner of that is a check box that says "show advanced items". Now you should have under Battery the option of changing the Last Battery Replacement date. Also Diagnostics should appear with "Calibration". start that.

If you can't get it, unless one of my fellow moderators is VPN'd in, I cannot provide screenshots to do it step-by-step until Tuesday.

[Anonymous user]

Okay, I found it. The console says:

Insufficient Runtime Available
Discharged Battery

I read somewhere (help?) that I should not do the runtime calibration unless the battery is charged. So now I don't know what to do.

Update: I got my husband to uninstall and reinstall the new battery (I thought there might be a loose cable or something). Didn't make any difference. The new battery included the cables, so the installation was very simple.

To clarify, when the UPS is on but the PC isn't, the battery charge LEDs do not blink (even when the monitor, router, etc. are on). When I turn on the PC, that's when the LEDs start blinking.

When we first installed the new battery, four of the LED battery lights were already on (I thought it was three, husband says four). I let the battery charge for 24 hours with nothing plugged into the UPS. The UPS was on, but from what I read, that was okay.

Is it possible there's something wrong with the actual UPS and it's not a battery problem?

Should I run the runtime calibration even though the PowerChute software says the battery isn't charged?

Thanks for your patience ...

Message was edited by: mallomar

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

In short, yes you can run the runtime calibration. The battery discharged message actually coincides with the flashing battery bar graph. It all boils down to the UPS not knowing a new battery has been installed.

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

Marlene,

Ideally you want to run the calibration with the load that is normally on the UPS attached. It will not perform a shutdown on the PC or connected equipment. The UPS will then recharge the battery with the attached load.

As far as how long this is going to take...you're going to have to set aside at LEAST 6 if not 8 hours for the entire thing to finish, as 6-8 hours is the recommended recharge time after a full discharge on a Smart-UPS battery.

[Anonymous user]

I ran the runtime calibration thing, now all five battery LEDs are glowing steadily, and PowerChute tells me I have 46 minutes of runtime. So all's right in my UPS world!

Thanks for your help.

[Anonymous user]

We have the same model UPS exhibiting the same behavior. The 5 lights are blinking and in the web interface (we have the network card) it thinks the battery is discharged. Running a calibration results in a 0 minute run-time "pass". This is a new battery and the load is sitting anywhere between 60-65% which might not give us a lot of run-time, but should yield more than 0 minutes.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks,

Jeff

[BillP]

hi jeff, as long as this is SUA1500, i will PM you some instructions to do to see if the problem is resolved.

[Anonymous user]

The lights all blink like that when the calculated UPS runtime is less than the configured 'low battery warning' time. the UPS cannot tell by DC bus voltage if you have new or old batteries attached so they way to fix it as mentioned is to do a calibration. This can be done either by software (which only runs the battery down to 30% I think) or via my preferred method which doesn't require any software or cables: make sure the new battery is fully charged, apply at least a 30% unchanging load (I like ~50%, space heaters are good for this), then pull the plug on the UPS and wait for it to shutdown. plug it back in, let it recharge, and enjoy your new calculated runtime.

[Anonymous user]

Where do I find the software under smart ups the model is not listed

[BillP]

Hi Bill,

You can start by opening this URL [http://www.apc.com/tools/download/index.cfm]. To be sure, can you tell us what UPS do you have so that we could verify what software will work with it?

[Anonymous user]

Hi,

PowerChute Business Edition Basic is no longer downloadable from the website.  What program can now be used to run the re-calibration?

I tried PowerChute Business Edition Deluxe but I could not figure out how to use the 3 (!) programs it contains to perform the calibration.  If that is the correct program, please explain the steps involved in running the test using that software.

Thanks,

Jeff

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

On 7/27/2011 9:22 AM, Angela said:

hi jeff, as long as this is SUA1500, i will PM you some instructions to do to see if the problem is resolved.

I (a different Jeff) have been looking for some solution to this one as we've got two SUA1500 units here that have this problem. Even with fresh batteries, the run time calibration results in no, or nearly no run time indicated. Trying to run the calibration has the UPS almost immediately switch back to line. The unit goes from flashing LEDs to all solid, and then back again on its own.

Both units are typically lightly loaded; 10-25% of capacity according to their internal measurement.

I'd definitely appreciate a those "instructions" as right now I'm looking at other UPS manufacturers, especially as this hasn't been resolved by your vendor.

TIA,

Jeff

Here's an example of the instability as seen in the logs:

10/10/2015	15:32:06	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:32:02	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:32:00	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:31:56	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:31:51	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:31:46	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:29:59	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:29:56	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:29:55	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:29:50	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:29:15	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:29:11	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:29:00	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:28:49	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:28:19	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:28:13	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:27:34	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:27:32	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:06:54	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:06:53	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:06:48	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:06:48	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:06:30	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:06:29	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:06:24	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:06:24	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:06:22	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:06:17	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:06:14	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:06:13	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:06:12	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:06:11	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:05:48	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:05:47	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:05:42	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:05:41	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:05:38	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:05:37	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:05:33	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:05:31	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:05:21	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:05:18	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:03:28	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/10/2015	15:03:21	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/10/2015	15:03:18	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.